Great victory against the rugby side, now onwards and upwards. Strange to see this is a Friday game but I can't imagine we're going to depart too much from our full-strength side here, though we do travel to Southampton two days later. Anyone been following much of West Ham this season and can maybe give us a bit of insight into their side? Surprised to see they've crept up to fourth in the table, just a point off United.

I fully expect West ham two park to buses and hope for a draw like last season.

Edited December 23, 201411 yr by Uno

Gonna be really tough but I think we'll edge it 1-0

West Ham are playing well at the moment and Andy Carroll is back fit and scoring, Terry and Cahill are going to need to be at their best to cope with him and the inevitable aerial bombardment that West Ham will bring. 

 

I could see Mikel starting again with this one to add some extra height to our side but we may need as many creative players on the pitch as possible to break down a deep defense. 

West Ham in excellent form this season, but I'm sure we gonna stop them. I'd like to see the same XI that played against Stoke. Matic and Mikel will do the "wall" job and Fabregas will create the counter attacks in front. We need Costa to score, sometimes he should ignore defenders and focus on his work, I'm sure he will hit once or twice. 

 

Come on BLUES!

Drop Willian for Schurrle - we will need his directness and clinical finishing.

West Ham in excellent form this season, but I'm sure we gonna stop them. I'd like to see the same XI that played against Stoke. Matic and Mikel will do the "wall" job and Fabregas will create the counter attacks in front. We need Costa to score, sometimes he should ignore defenders and focus on his work, I'm sure he will hit once or twice.

Come on BLUES!

I'm actually starting to think he will keep Mikel and Matic together for this one. Infact I think Jose might have decided he really likes it and the more games we win with it and keep clean sheets he'll stick to it.

Only change I think we'll see is Schurrle coming in if Haz is injured. But Schurrle should start over Willian anyway.

Edited December 23, 201411 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

Wouldn't mind seeing Oscar back in for this one alongside Matic and Fabregas. Think that gives us a more balanced midfield to be honest.

 

Schurrle in for Willian and possibly Luis in for Azpi.

Wouldn't mind seeing Oscar back in for this one alongside Matic and Fabregas. Think that gives us a more balanced midfield to be honest.

Schurrle in for Willian and possibly Luis in for Azpi.

I was think if Luis would play, especially as he's better attacking wise than Apzi.

Schurrle has to start for me but I think MF will be Mikel and Matic again.

Boxing Day has never been that good towards us, so many high scoring draws I seem to remember.

I'm usually optimistic but I think this will finish 2-2.

West ham will Park the bus and offer far more on the counter than they did last season.

A lot depends on Costa Imo. Get back to his clinical best, take his chances we can edge it. Fluff his lines and we could well lose it.

I think aslong as we keep Downing and Carroll quiet we'll only have to worry about scoring at the other end.

Im curious to see if Allardyce reverts to 'anti-football' tactics this season, pikeys are playing some nice stuff at times and it will be a 

far better match if they show up and have a go

 

Willian needs a rest, shirley in maybe ?

Oscar back in, Mikel out maybe 1 more rested - Dave ?

 

Merry Christmas everybody !!!

Im curious to see if Allardyce reverts to 'anti-football' tactics this season, pikeys are playing some nice stuff at times and it will be a 

far better match if they show up and have a go

 

Willian needs a rest, shirley in maybe ?

Oscar back in, Mikel out maybe 1 more rested - Dave ?

 

Merry Christmas everybody !!!

 

Better for us certainly!

Coutois

 

Azpilicueta

Terry

Cahill

Ivanovic

 

Matic

Fabregas

 

Hazard

Oscar

Schurrle

 

Costa

1st v 4th. Both sides have a lot to play for.

In my book we must rotate a bit, for mental freshness and to keep the opposition guessing. Last season this was a very frustrating fixture and spammers are better this season.

Tough game.

Will be a very tough game, and haven't WH already taken points off City this season?  Think we'll see Oscar back in, and maybe play Schurrle.  Back 4 will not change, i'd bet

Will be a very tough game, and haven't WH already taken points off City this season? Think we'll see Oscar back in, and maybe play Schurrle. Back 4 will not change, i'd bet

Wet spam beat Citeh and gave manure a hella of a run in ole crapfort. Big Sam will have them prepared to lay siege on Stamford Bridge.

Expecting a really tough game. Credit to them, West Ham are in terrific form this year and playing some attractive football too. 

 

He didn't put a foot wrong at Stoke but I'd leave out Dave for Felipe Luis. We need to start using the squad given the Christmas fixture pileup, and with this in mind, I'd bring in Schurrle and Oscar too for Willian and Mikel. I also don't think we'll need the added defensive solidity from Mikel; We're at home and West Ham don't really worry me on the counter attack. Granted Mikel's physique would be helpful defending corners but we've got enough size without him to deal with West Ham's aerial threat.

 

I also presume Hazard will be fit; if not, Schürrle comes in on the left. 

 

--------------Courtois--------------

 

---Ivan---Cahill---Terry---Luis--

 

---------Matic------Fabregas----

 

Schürrle----Oscar----Hazard---

 

---------------Costa----------------

 

For various reasons, this will also be the first Boxing Day game I have gone to for about 6/7 years I believe. Really looking forward to it. 3-1 Chelsea.

Edited December 24, 201411 yr by Celery1989

For various reasons, this will also be the first Boxing Day game I have gone to for about 6/7 years I believe. Really looking forward to it. 3-1 Chelsea.

 

Watch out for the Green Street Hooligans no seriously enjoy that match. I will be getting up @ 4:30am - I have to goto work later so what da hell. Mac you getting up early too?

Wish we had Frank back for this one - he always scored against them

Us beating Wet Spam and me backing the winner of the King George would be the perfect late Xmas present COME ON YOU BLUES!

I was thinking who will they boo now but we still have JT

Big Sam perhaps tongue in cheek thinks he win this one.  WHU are one of the surprise teams so far, it will be tough battle all over the park but I expect the cream to rise to the top...2-1